The Astros’ 2023 draft class, the first for General Manager Dana Brown, has now had the chance to make their debuts last season and in 2024. So far, some of the returns are looking very strong. Below are the top five best starts to their pro careers from the Astros’ draft class last summer.
Jake Bloss, RHP, 3rd Round
Bloss was drafted by the Astros in the third round of last year’s draft. He played three years at Lafayette before transferring to Georgetown to pursue his Master’s Degree. The right-hander made huge strides that year at Georgetown seeing his fastball up to 97 MPH. After the draft, he was assigned to Fayetteville where he had a 2.76 ERA with 20 K in 16.1 innings. This year he has started out at Asheville, a hitter-friendly park and league, and has a 1.08 ERA with 10 K in 8.1 innings, including hitting 98 MPH in his last outing.
Nice season debut for Jake Bloss, the #Astros 3rd round pick from last year. He went 4 innings allowing 1 earned run and struck out 5. pic.twitter.com/sbXot1bJrW
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 10, 2024
Cam Fisher, OF, 4th Round
Fisher was another senior draftee for the Astros following a ridiculous season where he hit .348 with 30 homers, 64 walks in 64 games for UNC Charlotte. He was assigned to Fayetteville following the draft and despite a slow start, he finished on a tear hitting .313 with 4 HR, 11 RBI over the final 18 games. This season he was assigned to Asheville and after a slow start again, he’s up to a 1.022 OPS with 3 double, 4 homers, 10 runs batted in and 3 stolen bases in just 11 games.
Video of Cam Fisher’s 3 homer game. The last one was a three run shot to take the lead in the bottom of the 8th. #Astros pic.twitter.com/jFl7rNYBcr
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 19, 2024
James Hicks, RHP, 13th Round
Hicks, another senior selection for the Astros, was drafted in the 13th round out of the University of South Carolina after posting a 3.48 ERA in 67.1 innings. Following the draft, he spent time in the Florida Complex League and struck out 6 over 5.2 innings with a 1.59 ERA. This year for Fayetteville, the right-hander has been electric. He has appeared in three games and in those games he has 17 strikeouts in 13 innings, allowing just 7 hits and no runs.
James Hicks was DOMINANT tonight for the Woodpeckers:
5 IP | 1 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 2 BB | 8 K#Astros pic.twitter.com/eN0uZtgdDH
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 17, 2024
Colby Langford, LHP, 17th Round
Langford was selected by the Astros in the 17th round out of Murray State College, a community college in Oklahoma. He pitched in 5.1 innings striking out 6 in the Florida Complex League after the draft. In 2024, the 21-year-old was assigned to Fayetteville where he has pitched strictly in relief but has dominated. He has pitched in 5 games and allowed just 2 hits in 7.1 innings, while racking up 12 strikeouts and a 1.17 ERA.
Colby Langford, the #Astros 17th round pick in 2023, has been great so far this season. He has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings with 7 strikeouts. He’s also yet to allow a hit. #Astros pic.twitter.com/7MR3vnFcZV
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 11, 2024
Kelly Austin, RHP, UDFA
Austin was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 draft. He spend his final two seasons in college pitching for UCLA, striking out 104 in 82.1 innings with a 3.39 ERA as a senior. The right-hander was assigned to Fayetteville this year and as a reliever he has been fantastic. In four games, he has 10 strikeouts in 4.2 innings allowing just 1 hit and no runs. He, along with some of the other college draftees, have helped Fayetteville to an early winning record. More on Austin here.
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